Interview with a Religious Figure

Interviewer: How does your faith and philosophy view the relation between humans and the natural world? Where do we fit and why?

Priest: There are diverse views and controversies regarding the relationship between the humans and the natural world in different religious groups, scientists, and philosophers. The Christian perspective of the creation story in Genesis 1 and 2 portrays God as the origin of life, creator of the earth Adam (human) from the earth. In the story about Noah and the flood, God is concerned with the creation to protect. Though the relationship of human nature is viewed as exploitative to the natural world in the command of “subdue” and “have dominion”, human beings remain connected to the earth. Since God concerns for all creatures, the human position is to protect and value the natural world.

Interviewer: What duties or obligations, if any, do humans have toward the natural world? How are these justified or explained?

Priest: As I had mentioned above, humans have a stewardship obligation and duties towards the natural world. The creation story presented in Genesis 2:15 stipulates that a man was mandated to dress in the Garden of Eden. Human partners with God in taking care of and dominating over the nature. Adam was also mandated to assign names to the nature and everything on the land.

Interviewer: How is your faith responding through action and practical programs to the environmental crisis, from local issues to global warming?

Priest: In light of the relationships and obligations of humans, Christian faith responds through the actions such as donations to pro-environmental movements. Christian community advocates for practical programs such as planting of trees and raising awareness on global warming through teaching programs.